RoPax aborts delivery voyage to get new engine installed

Veteran and sister newbuild at Galati shipyard

AUGUST 24, 2015 — Canadian broadcaster CBC reports that the first of two new $50-million Ropax ferries ordered by the Government of Newfounland and Labrador service is returning to Damen Shipyards, Galati, Romania, shipyard in to have a new engine installed.

CBC says the 80-m MV Veteran was making the crossing from Europe to Newfoundland and Labrador when it experienced what provincial Transportation Minister David Brazil called a “glitch” in one of its engines.

“The vessel pulled into Malta so officials from the German manufacturer of the engine could assess the problem,” reports CBC. It quotes Mr. Brazil as saying the shipbuilder decided to recall the Veteran in order to replace the engine.

​”There was an agreement that it could be repaired [in Malta], and then further repairs done in St. John’s, but the agreement was we want a state-of-the-art ferry, that’s what we paid for, that’s what Damen has produced, so she’s going to go back to Romania and have a brand new engine put in,” he reportedly said.

Mr. Brazil told CBC the ship’s arrival in Newfoundland and Labrador will be delayed by about two to three weeks and that the engine replacement will be done at no cost to taxpayers, since the vessel has not yet been turned over the province. The engines on the Veteran’s sister Galati newbuild, the MV Legionnaire, will also be tested.

Read the CBC report HERE